Push-button self-opener can

ABSTRACT

An easy opener container comprising a metal can having one end wall with a scored tab within the central area thereof, the tab having an upwardly domed push button secured thereto, the button being used to urge the tab downwardly so to rip the score line, and the underside of the tab having a leaf spring pulling the tab the leaf spring takes its normal curved shape and thus open in the can.

United States Patent Inventor Pedro Chagoyen 73-04-31 st Ave., JacksonHeights, N.Y. l 1370 Appl. No. 801,311

Filed Feb. 24, 1969 Patented Jan. 26, 1971 PUSH-BUTTON SELF-OPENER CAN 7Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 220/54, 220/35, 220/27 Int. Cl B65d 17/25 B65d 17/00, B6Sd 43/16Field of Search 220/47, 48, 54, 27, 3S

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,355,058 11/1967 Asbury220/48 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorneys-Kenyon & Kenyon andReilly Carr & Chapin ABSTRACT: An easy opener container comprising ametal can having one end wall with a scored tab within the central areathereof, the tab having an upwardly domed push button secured thereto,the button being used to urge the tab downwardly so to rip the scoreline, and the underside of the tab having a leaf spring pulling the tabthe leaf spring takes its normal curved shape and thus open in the can.

PUSH-BUTTON SELF-OPENER CAN This invention is a self-opening metal can,such as used for beverages such as beer or soft drinks.

A principle object of the present invention is to provide a push buttonself-opener can which incorporates a novel structure for opening thesame with certain advantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a push buttonself-opener can wherein the upper end of the can includes a scored tabthat is downwardly depressed so to rip open the edges thereof forgaining access to the beverage or the like.

Yet another object is to provide a push button self-opening can whereinthe tab remains integral with the can and accordingly eliminates theusual littering of pull tabs torn off beverage cans.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a push buttonself-opener can which is simple in design, rugged in construction,inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is top plan view of a can incorporating the present invention,and

FIG. 2 is side elevation view thereof shown partly in cross section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral representsa push button self-opener can, according to the present invention,wherein there is a metal can 11 comprised of a cylindrical sidewall 12that is sealed at its upper and lower ends to an upper circular end wall13 and a circular lower end wall 14. The cylindrical sidewall and theend walls enclose compartment 15 within which a beverage or othersubstance may be contained.

The upper end wall 13 has a tab 16 scored in a central area thereof, thetab being defined generally by a substantially U- shaped score line 17.At one end of the tab 16, there is secured a molded dome or button 18upon the upper side of the tab so to serve as a means against which aperson may push when attempting to open the can. It will be noted, asshown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, that in the vicinity of the dome, thegenerally U-shaped score line 17 protrudes in outline so as to present ascore line extending semicircularly relatively close to the edge of thedome, thus making it easier for a person to tear the score line withless pressure.

A leaf spring 19 is positioned adjacent the underside of the tab, thespring 19 being secured at one end to a rivet 20 attached to the can end13. The opposite end of the spring is attached to the dome 18.

In operative use, by pressing the dome on the top of the can, theripping of the score line is started, and at the same time, the pressureon the dome helps one end of the spring to start the opening of the can,since the spring will tend to go in its normal curved shape carryingwith it the preconfigurated tab, thus opening the-can. In this form ofthe invention. it is of course understood that the spring at normal restis of arcuate configuration, thereby retaining the tab in an openposition after the can is opened.

The present device may also be used for containers for sugar, salt,cereals or the like.

lclaim:

l. in an easy opening can having a sidewall and an upper and a lower endwall which enclose a central compartment. improved means for opening thecan comprising a tab having an upwardly extending dome at one end and anedge defined by a generally U-shaped score line in the upper end wall;and a leaf spring having one end secured to the upper'end wall of thecan adjacent one end of said tab, and its opposite end secured to theopposite end of said tab, whereby the can may be opened by anapplication of pressure on said dome.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said score line extendsrelatively close to an edge of said dome to facilitate opening the canalon said score line. I

3. The combrnatron set fort rn claim 1 wherern said leaf spring has anarcuate shape in its relaxed position and retains said tab in an arcuateposition after the can is opened.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said leaf spring isadjacent the underside of said tab.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said dome is a memberwhich is secured to and extends through said tab.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said opposite end ofsaid leaf spring is secured to said dome.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said one end of saidleaf spring is riveted to the upper end wall.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3,557,999 DatedJanuary 26, 1971 Patent No.

Inventor Pedro Chagoyen It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

The address of the inventor should be --8l-O7 25th Avenue JacksonHeights, Queens, N.Y. 11370-- Signed and sealed this 11th day of May1971..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F'LETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JT Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patent:

1. In an easy openIng can having a sidewall and an upper and a lower endwall which enclose a central compartment, improved means for opening thecan comprising a tab having an upwardly extending dome at one end and anedge defined by a generally Ushaped score line in the upper end wall;and a leaf spring having one end secured to the upper end wall of thecan adjacent one end of said tab, and its opposite end secured to theopposite end of said tab, whereby the can may be opened by anapplication of pressure on said dome.
 2. The combination set forth inclaim 1 wherein said score line extends relatively close to an edge ofsaid dome to facilitate opening the can along said score line.
 3. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 wherein said leaf spring has an arcuateshape in its relaxed position and retains said tab in an arcuateposition after the can is opened.
 4. The combination set forth in claim1 wherein said leaf spring is adjacent the underside of said tab.
 5. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 wherein said dome is a member which issecured to and extends through said tab.
 6. The combination set forth inclaim 5 wherein said opposite end of said leaf spring is secured to saiddome.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said one end ofsaid leaf spring is riveted to the upper end wall.